MID Cheshire residents are again being warned to be on their guard against distraction break-ins and 'hook and cane' burglaries.

There has been a spate of these types of offences across Cheshire, with elderly people in particular being targeted by the distraction burglars.

High-powered cars are a favourite target for 'hook and cane' thieves, who often come to Cheshire from Liverpool and Manchester to steal fast cars for use in other crimes.

Between the end of June and the beginning of October, 15 bogus caller offences were reported in Mid Cheshire and police want residents to be aware of the threat posed by criminals who dupe their victims into letting them into their homes.

This type of offence is a recurring problem all over the country.

'We want to get a message out to residents to try and prevent these offences occurring,' said Detective Chief Inspector Alec Johns, crime manager for Cheshire Constabulary's Congleton and Vale Royal Division.

'It is mainly elderly people getting targeted and we would like people with elderly relatives to remind them to be on their guard.'

Last month an 89-year-old man was pick-pocketed in his home after an offender talked his way in. Methods that have been used to dupe victims include posing as water board representatives, saying the occupant has won a raffle prize, offering services such as roof repairs, or asking for directions.

Police in Vale Royal have had growing success in their battle against burglary, with detection rates increasing, but they want to prevent more crimes before they occur.

'We would rather prevent crimes than detect them,' said DCI Johns.

'Our detection rates in this area are good but burglary levels are still high and this is no time to be complacent.'

There have been more than 50 'hook and cane' offences in Cheshire since March 1 this year.

Thieves committing this type of offence will use a long stick or cane to hook keys out of a house through a letterbox and will then break in.

On many occasions hook and cane burglars only steal cars which they then use as get-away vehicles when committing more serious offences.

Particular targets have been high-powered vehicles such as Golf GTIs, Subarus and BMWs.